# GRADING STATEMENT

Purpose of Grading At West Fork Middle School, we believe that grades and grading policies should:

- Be based on student achievement or what the student knows and is able to do as measured against the Arkansas standards for the course.
- Be a reflection of content mastery rather than behavior, attendance, effort, or attitude.
- Encourage a growth mindset where students have the opportunity for improvement despite past outcomes.
- Provide communication between students, staff, and parents about learning progress.

Teachers will use HAC to communicate grades:

- **M** means the assignment is missing \\- this will be counted as a zero until the assignment is turned in and graded
- **X** means the assignment is exempted \\- it will not be counted against the student’s grade
- **Z** means the student received a zero and the grade will be calculated accordingly
- A blank means the assignment has been turned in but needs to be graded \\- this will not be counted against the student’s average.

If a pattern of late or missing work is noted, teachers will communicate (phone call and/or email) with parents/guardians.